New South Wales

Several brown-colored mice are shown overrunning an Australian farm.

Plague of ravenous, destructive mice tormenting Australians

Vast tracts of land in Australia's New South Wales state are being threatened by a mouse plague that the state government describes as "absolutely unprecedented." Just how many millions of rodents have infested the agricultural plains across the state is guesswork.

Plague of ravenous, destructive mice tormenting Australians
Firefighters control a spot fire near Bredbo, south of the Australian capital, Canberra, Feb. 2, 2020.

California and Australia look to Indigenous land management for fire help 

California and Australia look to Indigenous land management for fire help 
A restaurant posts a closed sign in Melbourne

Returning travelers in quarantine hotels may have triggered Melbourne's latest lockdown

Returning travelers in quarantine hotels may have triggered Melbourne's latest lockdown
A close up photograph of a woman wearing a white protective face mask with the words, "I can't breathe" written on it.

Citing COVID-19, Australian court bans George Floyd protests in Sydney

Citing COVID-19, Australian court bans George Floyd protests in Sydney
A car is shown in the distance driving on a road and entirely surrounded by dark yellow smoke.

Thousands flee fires in Australia, navy helps evacuate the stranded

Thousands flee fires in Australia, navy helps evacuate the stranded
Several people are shown standing on a beach with many holding cloth to their faces to protect from the smoke.

Thousands trapped on Australian beaches by dangerous bushfires

Thousands swarmed to beaches on Australia's east coast Tuesday to escape fierce wildfires bearing down on several seaside towns, as the government readied naval vessels and military helicopters to aid firefighting and evacuations.

Thousands trapped on Australian beaches by dangerous bushfires
A radio telescope dish at sunset.

How Australia helped show the world the live moon landing

It's thanks to the Parkes Observatory in Australia that people around the world got to see the moon landing on television screens in 1969.

How Australia helped show the world the live moon landing
pigs and calves

Hugs, drugs and choices: Helping traumatized animals

Researchers at the University of Western Australia have developed non-invasive means for measuring stress and mood in animals and are now working with sheep farmers to improve the well-being of their animals. PTSD has been identified in elephants, dogs, chimpanzees and baboons, for example.

Hugs, drugs and choices: Helping traumatized animals
Southeastern and southwestern Australia have experienced some of the country’s most severe rainy season droughts over the last two decades (L). These are also some of the country’s most productive agricultural regions (R).

Faced with dire climate change, denial may actually help Australian farmers cope

Despite growing evidence that the earth's climate is changing, many people remain skeptical. This denialism is often seen as a political response to the issue, but some mental health experts in Australia say it can also be a beneficial coping mechanism.

Faced with dire climate change, denial may actually help Australian farmers cope
Australia smoke

In Australia, raging early spring wildfires have rekindled a raging debate over climate change

Australia has had a rash of wildfires caused by unseasonably hot and dry weather. Scientists say the risk of fires is growing with climate change, but the country's new prime minister says they're just a normal part of life down under.

In Australia, raging early spring wildfires have rekindled a raging debate over climate change
S Africa cartoon 10-17-13

American politicians try to ride the same horse, of sorts, while bakers breed their own steed

US politicians have a momentary truce, of sorts, but are still riding in opposite directions. Bakers are madly cross-breeding the croissant and donut in a giant race to have the least healthy food on earth. And South Korean police go Gangnam. Here are the stories we are following in today's Global Scan.

American politicians try to ride the same horse, of sorts, while bakers breed their own steed
The World

Australian Horse Cheats Death Twice

For the Geo quiz, we want you to name a town that some call "the horse capital" of Australia.

Australian Horse Cheats Death Twice

VIDEO: Australian conservationists using a dog to help save endangered penguins

The Little Penguins are disappearing around Sydney in Australia, but a new tool — a dog — is helping conservationists get a handle on their hard-to-find birds.

VIDEO: Australian conservationists using a dog to help save endangered penguins
The World

Australia's Enviable Debt

Australia has among the lowest debt loads in the world.

Australia's Enviable Debt

Behind the Big Dry

New research suggests the cause of southeastern Australia's unusually severe drought might lie in the warming Indian Ocean.

Behind the Big Dry